Emotional intelligence has been consistently associated with higher quality social relationships (Rivers, Brackett, Salovey, & Mayer, 2007). Social relationships have been deemed a vital source of meaning and purpose in life (DeBats, 1999; Kraus, 2007; Settersten, 2002). This study examined the role of meaningful social relationships in the association between emotional intelligence and meaning in life. Participants (N = 50) completed the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT; Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2002), the Personal Meaning Profi le (PMP; Wong, 1998), and the Purpose in Life test (PIL; Crumbaugh & Maholick, 1964). Results indicated that the relation between emotion management (branch 4 of emotional intelligence) and meaning in life was mediated by the quality of social relationships.

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